READING: 2 Kings 23-25
The Lord’s anger. It is real. It is right. It is agonizing. And, it’s mentioned nine times in chapters 21-24 of the book of 2 Kings (21:6, 21:15, 22:13, 22:17, 23:19, 23:26, 24:20). These are indeed tough words in today’s reading about God’s raising up an enemy to take Judah into exile under His anger:
- “the Lord did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger” (2 Kings 23:26)
- “and the Lord was not willing to forgive” (2 Kings 24:5)
- “it was because of the Lord’s anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end he thrust them from his presence” (2 Kings 24:20).
To put it simply, the people had crossed God’s line. Their rebellion was widespread, and their idolatry was deep-seated. They had burned offerings to Baal, the sun, the moon, and the stars. They had erected Asherah poles in the temple. Male prostitutes were in the area. Children were sacrificed to a false god. High places to false gods Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Molek marked the land. Mediums and spiritists lived in the land. Household gods and idols abounded.
No wonder God brought the hammer down on His people.
It was written of Josiah, though, that “Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him” (2 Kings 23:25). In the midst of all the evil, he stood out as the man of God.
That’s the kind of man I want to be — and it’s wise for me to remember that God’s call to absolute obedience to Him is more than words. He means what He says.
ACTION STEPS:
- Be aware that God is never pleased with your sin.
- Remove the sin in your life. Admit it. Repent. Turn to Christ.
- Follow God with all your heart, soul, and strength.
PRAYER: “Help me, God, to follow You fully.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Chronicles 1-2